The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published its latest report on 21 October 2009. This is its second partial review of the shortage occupation lists for the UK and Scotland. The MAC produced its first recommended lists in September 2008, which were accepted in full by the government. The MAC carries out partial reviews every six months, with a full review every two years. It published its first partial review in April 2009. The MAC has now reviewed all occupations originally recommended in September 2008. The lists identify occupations where there are insufficient UK workers. They can be used by employers under Tier 2 of the Points Based System to bring in non-EEA workers without having to meet the requirements of the resident labour market test by advertising the post. A prospective employee can also submit an application without having to show previous earnings or qualifications although he/she will still have to provide evidence o maintenance and English language skills.
The reports detailed recommendations are as follows. The numbers in brackets refer to the Standard Occupational Classification (SCOC) code as used in the UKBA’s Codes of Practice.
Additions:
• Project managers within the electricity transmission and distribution industries (1121)
• Site managers, station managers, shift/group leaders within the electricity transmission and distribution industry (1123)
• Mechanical engineers in the electricity transmission and distribution and the electricity generation industries (2122)
• Electrical engineers in the oil and gas industry and power system engineers, control engineers, protection engineers, project control engineers, control and instrumentation engineers, assistant engineers, electrical engineers within the electricity transmission and distribution industry (2123)
• Design engineers within the electricity transmission and distribution industry (2126)
• Plant process engineers within the electricity generation industry (2127)
• Planning/development engineers and quality, health, safety and environment engineers within the electricity transmission and distribution industry (2128)
• Project engineers and proposals engineers within the electricity transmission and distribution industry (2129)
• Higher-level specialty trainee posts in paediatrics (ST4 level) (2211)
• Non-consultant, non-training, medical staff posts in general internal medicine (acute) (2211)
• Pre-registration pharmacists working in the NHS and hospitals (2213)
• All teaching posts in special schools (2316)
• Commissioning engineers (3113)
• Production controllers in the electricity generation industry (3119)
• Licensed and military certifying engineers/inspector technicians and airframe fitters (5223)
• Site supervisors within the electricity transmission and distribution industries (5249)
• Skilled meat boners and meat trimmers (5431).
Amendments
• Simplified list of relevant job titles under the physicists, geologists and meteorologists occupation (2113)
• Change from previously listed a nurse specialities in connection with operating theatre work to ‘specialist nurses working in operating theatres’ (3211)
• Change from previous inclusion of nurses working in critical care units with a level 2 or level classification to nurses working in neonatal intensive care units only (3211)
• Change from previous inclusion of overhead linesworkers to overhead linesworkers within the electricity transmission and distribution industries only (5243)
• A three-year experience requirement for skilled chefs (5434).
• Slight change in the licencing arrangement for work riders (6139).
• Amendments to the skill definition of ballet dancers (3414).
Removals
• Most civil engineers (2121)
• Consultants in chemical pathology (2211);
• Consultants in child and adolescent psychiatry (2211);
• Consultants in clinical neurophysiology (2211);
• Consultants in clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (2211);
• Consultants in dermatology (2211);
• Consultants in immunology (2211);
• Consultants in intensive care medicine (2211);
• Consultants in paediatrics (2211);
• Consultants in plastic surgery (2211);
• Consultants in renal medicine (2211);
• Clinical psychologists (2212);
• Consultants in orthodontics (2215);
• Health Professions Council (HPC) registered ophthalmic and vision scientists (2112);
• Aircraft component manufacturing engineers (3113)
• Ship and hovercraft officers (3513).
The Government announced on 12 November 2009 that it was accepting the MAC's recommendations. This new shortage occupation list for the United Kingdom and Scotland will apply to all certificates of sponsorship assigned on or after 14 December 2009. Applications based on certificates of sponsorship assigned before this date will be considered against the shortage occupation list in place at the time.
